Injury Prevention Analytics Manager

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Austin, TX

3d

About The Position

The Epidemiology Branch Manager/Senior Epidemiologist
reports to the Injury Prevention Unit Director and serves as the subject matter expert in advanced analytics and epidemiological study methods on Injury Prevention projects.
The
Senior Epidemiologist performs highly advanced (senior-level) managerial work providing direction and guidance on day-to-day operations and planning for the Branch. Provides leadership and direction that fosters teamwork, harmony, professional collaboration, and partnership. Oversees
the establishment of the Injury Prevention Unit Epidemiology Branch and staff goals and
objectives. Performs routine management and oversight activities on advanced analytics and the processing of data to ensure data quality, integrity, and completeness. Develops,
establishes, and implements data standards, particularly on the reporting of all Injury Prevention projects across the Unit. Directs and conducts advanced quantitative and qualitative epidemiological studies to
identify
factors for health conditions in Injury Prevention datasets to prevent and control public health problems and injuries. Manages data requests with Unit programs and other Epidemiologists to ensure data requests and reports are successfully completed and with high data quality and integrity. Works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. To perform these job duties, this position may require working extra hours needed to meet defined deadlines and support the agency’s mission critical reporting requirements.

Requirements

• Knowledge of the basic principles and methods of epidemiology and related biostatistics; infectious diseases, adverse reproductive outcomes, cancer, or other chronic diseases; occupational and environmental diseases or injuries; and how causes of disease affect epidemiologic practices.
• Knowledge of epidemiologic/public health research design, methods, principles, and techniques.
• Knowledge in Institution Review Board (IRB) applications and processes.
• Knowledge of health outcomes related to Injury Prevention and Maternal and Child Health.
• Knowledge of measurement, testing, and evaluation procedures.
• Knowledge of the publication process from submission to publication.
• Knowledge of computer software, including SAS, Microsoft products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access), Adobe Professional, and Tableau.
• Skill in the use of a computer and applicable software, in collecting and abstracting data from health records, in analyzing and interpreting large amounts of data, and in critical thinking.
• Skill in the use of statistical measurement techniques, research design and implementation, problem-solving methods and techniques.
• Strong project management skills to organize major complex project activities into a logical sequence with a reasonable and achievable schedule of deadlines.
• Skill in technical writing to communicate project/research information clearly and succinctly for correspondence with state and federal agencies.
• Skill in creating data dashboards that simplify complex ideas to lay audiences and for internal and external consumption.
• Skill in critical thinking and problem solving.
• Ability to conduct epidemiological studies and investigations, and to communicate effectively.
• Ability to develop budgets and strategic plans.
• Ability to plan and direct programs and to plan and report on epidemiological investigations
• Ability to manage projects and prepare reports on epidemiological studies and investigations; to interpret and publishing findings; and to supervise the work of others,
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to develop and effectively deliver training and technical assistance about research/data methods, procedures or DSHS policies.
• Ability to interpret complex statistical data, charts, and tables and translate detailed information into simpler terms orally and in writing.
• Ability to assess the reliability, validity, and appropriateness of proposed data collection methods and epidemiologic designs.
• Ability to formulate reasonable hypothesis and structure research designs to account for variables.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and work with others as part of a team.
• Ability to lead and supervise the work of other staff.
• Ability to organize and manage program/project activities and establish goals and objectives.
• Ability to identify problems, evaluate alternatives, and implement effective solution.
• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university and graduate education resulting in the receipt of a master’s or doctoral degree in epidemiology, public health, biostatistics, or a related field.
• Experience analyzing EMS, vital event, hospital discharge, outpatient, electronic health record, or Medicaid data.
• Experience using SAS or SAS Viya.
• A minimum of 2 years’ experience in supervision of employees including hiring, staff development and evaluation, counseling, and identification and implementation of human resource activities.

Responsibilities

• Directs and conducts advanced epidemiological studies, both quantitative and qualitative, to identify factors for health conditions and behaviors in Injury Prevention datasets to prevent and control public health problems and injuries. Evaluates need for new epidemiologic studies. Develops and integrates cutting-edge epidemiological methods and innovative statistical analyses into current surveillance and research studies. Prepares scientific publications, briefings, technical reports, and presentations. Oversees the development of data dashboards using SAS and Tableau. Reviews data programming, reports, publications, and presentations prepared by Epidemiology Branch staff to verify the accuracy of analysis and results.
• Serves as the Epidemiology Branch Manager with minimal oversight and extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment within the Injury Prevention Unit. Oversees the complex data management of Texas Overdose Data to Action (TODA), EMS and Trauma Registries (EMSTR), Texas Violent Death Reporting System (TVDRS), Child Fatality Review (CFR), Texas Health Care Information Collection (THCIC), and other data sources as specified in data use agreements (DUAs) and memorandums of understanding (MOU). Oversight includes the requesting of, receipt of, and maintenance of all major data files used in the Unit with a regular frequency. Develops, establishes, and implements standardized protocols for the careful examination of received data for obvious errors and discrepancies.
• Provides leadership and direction that fosters teamwork, harmony, professional collaboration, and partnership across the Epidemiology Branch. Manages staff activities to foster a culture of high-quality data products, reports, presentations, and dashboards. Oversees the establishment of the Epidemiology Branch and staff goals and objectives. Responsible for hiring and selection, plans, and supervises the work of direct reports and guides the development of staff priorities, initiatives, and work schedules to achieve objectives and performance indicators. Conducts performance evaluations, recommending personnel disciplinary actions, scheduling and approving leave and monitors the ongoing activities of staff. Manages and develops staff through review of performance data, consultation, training and performance appraisal. Develop budgets for epidemiological projects, including identifying and preparing for funding opportunities or grants, negotiating grants, and assessing staffing needs.
• Develops, establishes, and implements data standards and protocols, particularly on the reporting of TODA, EMSTR, TVDRS, and CFRT data across the Unit and addressing privacy and data reliability concerns. Develop policies and procedures in the implementation of new epidemiological methodologies or technology and advise staff on their use. Incorporates these standards into routine data management plans and educates other unit staff through the development of new protocols and trainings to ensure that scientific and standardized systems and processes are implemented uniformly. Implements automation processes, such as macro development, to reduce data errors and expand unit staff capacity for analytic support.
• Manages data requests with Unit programs and other Epidemiologists to ensure data requests and reports are successfully completed and with high data quality and integrity. Coordinates with other Unit programs to maintain/update DUAs with the Center for Health Statistics, the Vital Statistics Section, and THCIC. Ensures proper storage/retention of data in possession of the Unit.
• Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location. To perform these job duties, this position may require working extra hours needed to meet defined deadlines and support the agency’s mission critical reporting requirements.

Benefits

• DSHS offers insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level